Pepe. | The Life, Works and Writings of Jose Rizal [ENGLISH]

The First Homecoming

Rizal lived five years of his life abroad and away from his loved ones. He left Rome and rode the train going to Marseilles, France on July 3,1887. He then boarded the Djemnah, the vessel that ferried him to Saigon, and from Saigon, he transferred to the steamer Haiphong in Vietnam and reached Manila on August 5,1887. He stayed in Manila for three days and tried to visit and call Isabelo de los Reyes twice but unfortunately, he was unable to reach him.

Later on, Jose Rizal visited Ateneo de Manila, where he had been a student. The Jesuits, who had been his mentors, hoped to persuade him to return to the Catholic faith. During his visit, Rizal had a conversation with Padre Faura, a Jesuit priest who had shown him the carving of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that Rizal had made during his student days. Padre Faura took the opportunity to criticize Rizal's novel, "Noli Me Tangere," pointing out what he believed were its errors and inflammatory content. However, Rizal stood firm, asserting that everything he wrote in the novel was true and reflected the real conditions in the Philippines.

Upon Rizal's return to Calamba on August 8, 1887, rumors began to spread about him. Some people accused him of being a German spy, a Mason, and other unfounded allegations. These rumors created a hostile atmosphere around Rizal, leading to daily death threats. His family, deeply concerned for his safety, took precautions to protect him. His brother Paciano often accompanied him whenever he went out to ensure his safety. Even his father, Don Francisco, was apprehensive about allowing Rizal to leave the house due to the potential dangers he faced.

The threats and rumors were indicative of the growing tension between Rizal and the colonial authorities, as well as the conservative elements of society who were threatened by his ideas and his calls for reform. Despite the danger, Rizal's resolve remained unshaken, highlighting his courage and dedication to his cause. His willingness to face these threats head-on demonstrated his deep commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of his fellow Filipinos, even at great personal risk.

Nevertheless, Rizal kept himself busy while in Calamba. He established a medical clinic, where his first patient was his own mother. Rizal successfully removed the cataracts from her eyes, showcasing his skills as an eye specialist and surgeon. This achievement quickly boosted his reputation, and soon he was well-known for his medical expertise. In Calamba, people began calling him "Doctor Uliman," a name that arose from the mistaken belief that he was German due to his education and time spent in Europe.

On August 30, 1887, Rizal left Calamba for Manila after being summoned by Governor-General Emilio Terrero regarding his controversial novel, "Noli Me Tangere." The Governor-General requested a copy of the novel, and Rizal handed him a worn-out version. After reading it, Terrero did not find anything objectionable in its contents. However, the novel had caused a stir among the conservative factions in the Philippines, leading the Archbishop of Manila to recommend halting the book's importation, reproduction, distribution, and possession.

Concerned for Rizal's safety amidst the controversy, Governor-General Terrero assigned Lieutenant Jose Taviel de Andrade as Rizal's bodyguard. Despite these precautions, Terrero advised Rizal to leave the country for his own protection. However, Rizal, dedicated to his mission of reform and undeterred by the threats and pressure, chose to stay in his hometown. His refusal to leave underscored his commitment to his cause and his willingness to face the dangers associated with his advocacy for social and political change in the Philippines.

At about the same time, Terrero wanted to have an investigation to solve the Calamba agrarian problems. The Dominican-owned hacienda in Calamba was one of the properties owned by the friars that were affected. Rizal led the group of Calamba tenants to represent for the investigation. Rizal presented the following findings to Terrero for actions.

1.The hacienda of the Dominican Order comprised not only the lands around Calamba but the whole town of Calamba;

2. There was increased profits of the Dominican order because of the arbitrary increase of the rentals paid by the tenants;

3. The hacienda owner never contributed for the celebration of the town fiesta, for education of the children, and for the improvement of agriculture;

4. Tenants who spent more labor in clearing the lands were dispossessed of the said lands for a weak reason;

5. For delayed payment of rentals, high rates of interest were charged to the tenants;

6. Work animals, tools and farm implements of the tenants were confiscated by the hacienda management if the rentals were not paid by the tenants.

In effect, the friars were furious so they commanded the Malacañang to order the departure of Rizal to leave the country. But Terrero did not mind the friars' request. As a result, the friars demanded his deportation. Then again, Terrero advised Rizal to leave the country for good. The same counsel was given to Rizal by his family and relatives for his own safety.

After six months in the Philippines, he left the country and went to Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the friars forced all the tenants to leave the Dominican Hacienda as a revenge. The Rizal family was the first among the tenants to be evicted because they refused to pay the rent and interest. Terrero, on the other hand, was replaced by Lieutenant General Valeriano Weyler, who was grateful of the role of the friars in the conquest of Luzon and Visayas. He pointed out that religion should be a means of the government in the aforementioned islands in the Philippines.

The tenants protested in Manila headed by Doroteo Cortes. In the said demonstration, the tenants presented a petition to Queen Regent requesting the

departure of the friars from the Philippines. After the protest, there were rallyists who got arrested.

On the other hand, Rizal's brother-in-law, Mariano Herbosa was denied of having a Christian burial by the Roman Catholic Church because he was married to Lucia, Rizal's sister. Rizal wrote an essay to address this issue and it was entitled, "A Profanation" (Una Profanacion). Note that when Rizal left, Don Francisco, Paciano, Saturnina, Narcisa and Lucia were exiled to other parts of the country. Rizal felt sorry for what had happened to his family after supporting the rights of the tenants. This caused him so much despair.

Before leaving Calamba on February 3, 1888, Jose Rizal received a special request from a friend in Lipa. The friend asked Rizal to compose a poem to commemorate the elevation of Lipa from a pueblo (town) to a villa (city). Rizal accepted this request and wrote "Himno al Trabajo" or "Hymn to Labor." In this poem, Rizal expressed his deep appreciation for the efforts of the people and the prosperity and vitality that their labor brought to the country.

"Himno al Trabajo" highlights Rizal's belief in the essential role of hard work in building a nation's strength and success. The poem celebrates the industrious spirit of the Filipino people, recognizing their contributions to the country's wealth and energy. Rizal portrayed labor as the lifeblood of the nation, essential for its health and vitality. Through his words, he sought to inspire pride and motivation among his fellow Filipinos, emphasizing that their collective efforts were crucial for the nation's progress and development.

This poem is a testament to Rizal's vision for the Philippines. He saw the potential for national growth and improvement through the diligent work of its citizens. By honoring their labor, Rizal aimed to foster a sense of unity and purpose, encouraging his countrymen to continue striving for a better future. His message in "Himno al Trabajo" reflected his broader goals of reform and empowerment, reinforcing his dedication to uplifting and advocating for the Filipino people.